3TFO: Saints @ Buccaneers, Week 7

papz · 10-19-2012, 01:34 PM

Winning the division is probably out of the question at this point, but the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have playoff hopes, however slim. Following their first win (Week 5) and a bye in Week 6, this game is a chance for the Saints to build some much-needed momentum as the schedule gets significantly tougher going forward. The return of interim head coach Joe Vitt and potentially Jonathan Vilma next week could provide an emotional boost, though that boost may be meaningless if New Orleans leaves Tampa without a win. The task looks to be a tough one, with the Buccaneers coming off a dominant victory, but as we pointed out, that may have been more of a testament to the Chiefs’ flaws than to the quality of the Buccaneers.

Which team will keep its playoff chances alive and which should start early planning for next year? Here are three matchups that may determine the answer.

Testing Biggers

With Aqib Talib suspended, E.J. Biggers (+3.1) steps into the role of starting cornerback for the Bucs. You would think that this would be a worrying situation, with the team’s best corner being replaced by a player who was PFF’s fourth-worst graded CB in 2011. But if two games are any indication, they’ll be just fine. Against Kansas City, Biggers was strong in coverage, allowing two receptions for 19 yards. On the year, the cornerback has given up just three catches on 10 targets, with three pass break-ups, and is allowing 0.5 yards per snap in coverage — the fourth-best mark among all CBs. Quite the improvement for a player whom quarterbacks had a QB rating of 119 when targeting a season ago.

But many players would look good when defending the Brady Quinn-led Chiefs. It’s another matter facing the passing offense of the Saints. And while we have yet to see an entirely sharp Drew Brees and the offensive juggernaut of years past, the team looks to be trending upward after good showings against Green Bay and San Diego. In particular, the Bucs will need to find a way to slow down Marques Colston (+2.6 receiving) who has caught 18 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns in his past two games. Jimmy Graham likely won’t be much of a factor with a high ankle sprain, so look for Brees to go to his receivers on the outside more often, which is where Biggers has lined up exclusively this season. The Saints get a boost this week with Lance Moore expected to play, while Devery Henderson is coming off his best performance of the season.

Whether Biggers keeps up his impressive play or reverts back to 2011 form may go a long way in determining the outcome of this game. But maybe his 2011 form wouldn’t be such a bad thing for Tampa Bay — his best performance of that year came in Week 6 against the Saints when he intercepted one Brees pass and broke up three more.

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10-19-2012, 01:34 PM	#1
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,768	3TFO: Saints @ Buccaneers, Week 7 Winning the division is probably out of the question at this point, but the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have playoff hopes, however slim. Following their first win (Week 5) and a bye in Week 6, this game is a chance for the Saints to build some much-needed momentum as the schedule gets significantly tougher going forward. The return of interim head coach Joe Vitt and potentially Jonathan Vilma next week could provide an emotional boost, though that boost may be meaningless if New Orleans leaves Tampa without a win. The task looks to be a tough one, with the Buccaneers coming off a dominant victory, but as we pointed out, that may have been more of a testament to the Chiefs’ flaws than to the quality of the Buccaneers. Which team will keep its playoff chances alive and which should start early planning for next year? Here are three matchups that may determine the answer. Testing Biggers With Aqib Talib suspended, E.J. Biggers (+3.1) steps into the role of starting cornerback for the Bucs. You would think that this would be a worrying situation, with the team’s best corner being replaced by a player who was PFF’s fourth-worst graded CB in 2011. But if two games are any indication, they’ll be just fine. Against Kansas City, Biggers was strong in coverage, allowing two receptions for 19 yards. On the year, the cornerback has given up just three catches on 10 targets, with three pass break-ups, and is allowing 0.5 yards per snap in coverage — the fourth-best mark among all CBs. Quite the improvement for a player whom quarterbacks had a QB rating of 119 when targeting a season ago. But many players would look good when defending the Brady Quinn-led Chiefs. It’s another matter facing the passing offense of the Saints. And while we have yet to see an entirely sharp Drew Brees and the offensive juggernaut of years past, the team looks to be trending upward after good showings against Green Bay and San Diego. In particular, the Bucs will need to find a way to slow down Marques Colston (+2.6 receiving) who has caught 18 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns in his past two games. Jimmy Graham likely won’t be much of a factor with a high ankle sprain, so look for Brees to go to his receivers on the outside more often, which is where Biggers has lined up exclusively this season. The Saints get a boost this week with Lance Moore expected to play, while Devery Henderson is coming off his best performance of the season. Whether Biggers keeps up his impressive play or reverts back to 2011 form may go a long way in determining the outcome of this game. But maybe his 2011 form wouldn’t be such a bad thing for Tampa Bay — his best performance of that year came in Week 6 against the Saints when he intercepted one Brees pass and broke up three more. Continue reading Attached Thumbnails
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